Brussels, 28/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the Commission adopted a Communication setting out various options for Member States and industry to consider in order to improve long-term scientific advice on fish stocks. The first idea is to enhance the role of ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) to become an advisory agency to the EU, and the second idea is for the EU to develop its own research and advice body.
A high-ranking official at DG Fisheries has admitted, however, that although the Commission prefers to give the ICES a greater role (which would be considerably cheaper than setting up a new Community structure), it will be difficult to get various important third countries on the ICES to agree, especially since the ICES would be called upon to extend its field of activity to areas not currently part of its competence (such as advance on technical measures like non-fishing zones and restrictions on devices). While noting in a press release that more radical changes are required, the Commission predicts that preparing the changes will be time-consuming and they might not be implemented within the framework of the current Financial Perspectives.
After listing the shortfalls of the current system (errors in data collection on catches, scientific advice these days often covered by contracts between laboratories and the agencies commissioning the research, shortage of technical and scientific experts at the Commission), the Commission suggests some more short-term measures such as: increasing consultation and cooperation with the fishing industry, particularly at regional level through regional consultation councils (to be set up when the reformed Common Fisheries Policy is adopted); increasing the Commission's involvement in bodies involved in providing scientific fisheries advice; producing fewer scientific reports on low risk situations.
The Commission is also considering applying penalties for deliberate errors in calculating catches. A financial package of EUR 2.3 million has been earmarked in 2003 for pilot projects to support national scientific advice and pay for additional scientific expertise. Proposals will be unveiled throughout the year in this connection, to cover the next three years.